On the 9^th of June the scientific and cultural event entitled “Architecture, Urban Planning and National Values in the State-Building Policy of National Leader Heydar Aliyev” was jointly organized by the Free Trade Union of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration, the ANAS Institute of Architecture and Art and the ANAS Institute of Folklore.

The event was organized in accordance with the Presidential Order of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated December 22, 2025, declaring 2026 as the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture” in the Republic of Azerbaijan. It began with an exhibition of paintings created by ANAS researchers.

The National Anthem of Azerbaijan was then performed, followed by a one-minute silence in memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland.

In her speech, Afaq Ramazanova, Deputy Director of the ANAS Institute of Folklore, Associate Professor and Doctor of Philosophy in Philology, stated that the declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture” reflects the importance attached to Azerbaijan’s architectural heritage, urban development, and the preservation of national values. She emphasized the outstanding contributions of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in this field, noting that he regarded not only the country’s political and economic development but also the preservation of its national and cultural heritage as one of the principal directions of state policy.

It was noted that during Heydar Aliyev’s leadership, significant efforts were undertaken across different regions of Azerbaijan to preserve, restore, and pass historical monuments on to future generations. The protection of historical buildings and the conservation of the traditional urban environment became key priorities of state policy. This approach was particularly evident in the development of Baku, where special attention was paid not only to transforming the capital into a modern city but also to preserving its historical character and harmonizing tradition with modernity. The speaker further stressed that this policy is being successfully continued today under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev through the extensive reconstruction and development projects carried out in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur.

Afaq Ramazanova also noted that the urban environment is not merely an architectural space but also a rich setting for the development of folklore. She explained that every city possesses its own legends, anecdotes, neighborhood traditions, and patterns of social behavior. In this respect, Baku, particularly Icherisheher (the Old City), represents a remarkably rich urban folklore environment. In the past, the neighborhood life and public square culture of Icherisheher, local anecdotes, traditions of neighborhood strongmen, as well as activities such as pigeon breeding and ram and rooster fighting, constituted important components of the city’s folklore heritage.

The event also featured speeches by Matanat Abbasova, Head of the Department of South Azerbaijan Folklore at the ANAS Institute of Folklore, Doctor of Sciences in Philology and Aynur Ibrahimova, Chair of the Trade Union Organization of the ANAS Institute of Folklore.

The event concluded with the discussion among the participants, followed by commemorative photographs.